Jesus’ triumphant entry was short lived. The shouts of praise, the road littered with palm branches, and cloaks lining His entry to the city of Jerusalem for Passover week quickly turn into a death trap. We are told that Jesus left Jerusalem Sunday evening and returned the next morning. Both Matthew and Mark tell of us His journey to Jerusalem on Monday morning.
Jesus’ return to Jerusalem on Monday (Matthew 21:18-20 and Mark 11:12-14, 20-21)
Having read both accounts, do you notice any different in the two accounts?
- Matthew__________________________________
- Mark____________________________________
Matthew’s account reminds us that faith is important
- Relate faith to the fig tree’s inability to bear fruit
- Are faith and doubt related?
- Go to James 1:6 to see how James describes doubt.
Jesus cleanses the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; and Luke 19:45-46)
- Matthew’s account: Besides cleansing the Temple, what other activities of Jesus does Matthew tell us? And what were the Pharisees’ reaction?
- Mark’s account: Mark does not tell us about the miracles. How does Mark’s statement about the Pharisees differ from Matthew’s?
- Luke’s account: Luke’s version is much shorter. Luke tells us that Jesus went to the Temple every day. How large were the crowds?
- We are told that the Pharisees could not find a way to kill Jesus because the size of the crowds and how the “people hung on to His words.
- Relate “clinging to His words” to your faith walk
Jesus returns to Jerusalem the following day (Matthew 21:23ff)
Note: The separation of Tuesday and Wednesday is somewhat clouded.
- Read Matthew 21:23-27. Jesus’ authority is questioned. While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the Jews asked Jesus about His authority. How did Jesus respond to their questions? What was their dilemma?
- By what authority are we to baptize? And who gave it to us?
- When the pastor baptizes, what words are used with the water?
- Read Matthew 21:28-32. This section is also connected to His authority. Jesus tells a parable of two sons.
- How did Jesus use their answer and how does it relate to authority and the messenger?
- Read Matthew 21:33-45. The Parable of the Tenants.
- Describe the parable in spiritual terms.
- While this parable was pointed at the Pharisees, is there any danger to us today for “not” bearing fruit?
Jesus tells several other parables during this two-day period. Each time He says, “the Kingdom of God (heaven) is like this.” Following the parables, the Pharisees and Sadducees asked questions of Jesus in an effort to trap Him. And without success!
- Read Matthew 22:34-40. The Greatest Commandment
- What two commandments are summarized by Jesus here? And from where did Jesus quote them?
- Love the Lord________________________________
- Love your neighbor____________________________
- Go to Romans 13:10. How does St. Paul summarize love?
- What two commandments are summarized by Jesus here? And from where did Jesus quote them?
- Read Matthew 22:41-46. Jesus stops the Jewish leaders cold!
- Who is the Son of David?
- Jesus used Psalms 110 to see how the Pharisees would respond. This Messianic psalm was written by king David. What was their dilemma regarding Jesus’ questions in verse forty-five?
The Seven Woes (Matthew 23)
- Jesus takes time during these two days to denounce the Pharisees’ actions. And He uses the term “woe” seven times. Let’s go back to the Old Testament and review some of the uses of the word “woe.”
- Isaiah 3:11__________________________
- Isaiah 5:21__________________________
- Isaiah 10:1__________________________
- Ezekiel 34:2_________________________
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the severity of the word “woe?”
- In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus denounces the Scribes and Pharisees for their actions. According to verse five, what was their motivation?
The table below examines each of the seven woes. You can complete the “result” column having reviewed the text.
| Woe to you. . . | Because | Result |
| 1. 23:13 | You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. | |
| 2. 23:15 | You win a single convert. . . you make him twice as much of a son of hell as you are. | |
| 3. 23:16 | You blind guides . . .which is greater? | |
| 4. 23:23 | You give a tenth. . . but neglected the more import matters of the law | |
| 5. 23:25 | You clean the outside of the cup. . .but the inside | |
| 6. 23:27 | You are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but . . . | |
| 7. 23:29 | You build tombs for the prophets and say, “if we had lived in the days. . . .” |
Matthew 23:37 begins a statement of Jesus, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather the children together. . .” Unwillingness to accept the Messiah will leave the house desolate. When did Jesus say they would see Him again?